Dutch singer vows to boycott Eurovision if Moscow uses violence against gay activists

Dutch singer Gordon has said he will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Moscow police use violence against gay rights activists.

Gordon, whose real name is Cor Gordon Heuckeroth, fronts the band The Toppers along with Jeroen van der Boom and René Froger. They will be in the May 16th final if they make it through the selection rounds.

He told NOS radio: “If people of my kind are being discriminated against in such a way, I have nothing to expect from this Russia, and I will be on the first plane home.”

Russian gay rights movement leader Nikolai Alexeyev is planning to hold a gay pride march before the city hosts the Eurovision final.

He has said he expects up to 500 people to join the parade, named Slavic Pride, despite official threats to close down any march.

He said he asked city authorities for permission to hold the march but added that 100 activists were prepared to disobey officials and risk prosecution by marching anyway.

In May 2006, more than 120 people were arrested after campaigners attempted to hold the capital’s first gay rights rally.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has branded gay parades “Satanic” in the past.